Special needs children get free medical check-ups

Abu Dhabi, UAE: More than 60 students from the Future Centre for Special Needs were given free medical check ups by specialists from the Gulf Diagnostic Centre Hospital, an initiative organised in celebration of Autisim Awareness Month.

The free check ups included dental, skin, eye, and general health examinations for the children. Other activities organised as part of the collaboration included a talk for the parents giving them advice on the best nutrition diet they can provide for their Autistic and special needs children.

“As part of Autism Awareness Month several activities from the community have been planned in support of Autistic people, and this was one such event that was initiated by the Gulf Diagnostic Centre Hospital and we were more than happy to agree with the initiative,” said Dr. Mowfaq Mustafa, Director of the Future Centre for Special Needs.

“The medical team stayed at the centre for more than four hours, with over 60 percent of our students receiving the free medical check ups after getting the permission of their parents. The children really enjoyed themselves and were more than happy to take part,” he added.

Dr Mustafa mentioned that the findings of the medical check ups would be sent to the childrens parents once complete, and added that it was important to help the parents of children with special needs.

“The parents are very important and need our support as much as possible, we need to let them know and feel that they are not alone,” he said. “It’s important that the parents do not have a lot of stress because that in turn will benefit the child as well, so we have to do our part in giving the families the information and assistance they need to help them cope with the situation, and therefore activities like this are very beneficial” he added.

Dr Mustafa also encouraged the general community to play their part as well in helping children with special needs, doing whatever they can to lend their support.

“There are many things society can do and we have already seen examples, things like walking in support of autism, or a play for autism, so there is a lot that can be done,” he said. “We also hope that other companies will feel motivated to come forward with ideas and plans for other future projects when they hear about events like the one we have carried out,” he added.